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New Rowland Criterion 2-chassis battery pre

Jeff Rowland Design has just created a page for its upcoming statement-level, twin chassis, battery powered full function preamplifier. Detail is still scant, but a little bit of info is already available, in addition to front and rear view pics. Here’s the page:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion.htm
And here’s the front view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-front.htm
And here’s the rear view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-back.htm

You will find a few specs already on the site. JRDG should be publishing more info in the next few weeks. I will post here as I receive it. in addition to the published specs that you can read on the page above, here are a very few additional tidbits that I have learned this far:

. Uses Burr Brown TI OPA1632 high speed fully differentially balanced modules.
. Includes phono stage.
. Uses standard NiMH D-cell batteries available in most electronics stores, loaded in 2 rear-inserted tubes of power supply chassis.
. Capable of AC/DC operation . . . will recharge batteries on independent circuit during AC operation.
. Full remote control
. Target price $18K (not sure yet)
. Availability: probably early Fall 2008.
. Will be featured at RMAF in Soundings Hifi suite Marriott 503 or 505 from Oct 10th to 12th in Denver.

And sorry folks, I have not heard this device yet. Nor I have any good third party reports on its sound. Any speculations on Sonics from my part would be just. . . pure speculations. I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Guido
guidocorona

Showing 4 responses by mark_nz

mark_nz
48 posts
 
Hi Guido,
Can you describe the volume control technology used for the Criterion?
I currently own the Synergy IIi - the volume control design is based on the CS3310 IC. Rowland were careful in their design to maximise the performance from this now IC.
So I am curious if Rowland has moved on to newer technology?
BTW, I really enjoy the Synergy, but hoping to upgrade in the future.
Thanks in advance.
Regards
Mark
mark_nz
48 posts
 
Thank you Guido re the description of the volume control. The Synergy is similiar in that it also uses a optical encoder under microprocessor control. I am curious about what electronic circuit (whether chip or discrete) is used to implement the volume control. Cheers Mark
mark_nz
48 posts
 
The Corus and Criterion are essentially the same preamplifier design (compare internal pictures - their circuit boards are almost exactly the same) - so the gain range will be the same. My maximum volume range on the Corus is 60 to 65 - which is not excessively loud that it will drown out conversation. The Corus is very detailed and quiet which facilitates enjoyable moderate volume listening.
mark_nz
48 posts
 
Here is very enthusiastic review of the Corus:
http://hifi-unlimited.blogspot.com/2011/06/sensational-corus-jeff-rowland-corus.html
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